NAQS target list criteria

The NAQS Program focuses on pests and diseases with the potential to enter Australia from Timor Leste, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea or other locations via the Australian northern border by natural or non-conventional pathways including wind currents, migratory animals, traditional vessel movements and unauthorised foreign fishing activity.

To focus attention on these exotic pests, diseases and weeds of particular concern NAQS maintains, and annually reviews, target lists of exotic insect pests, plant diseases, weeds and animal diseases. Targeted organisms are considered serious threats to Australia's agricultural productivity, export markets or the environment.

Species included on NAQS target list need to meet most or all of the below requirements to be considered.

Probability of entry

There should be a considerable probability of entry of a pest or disease in northern Australia. This would include factors such as:

• known to be present in locations near to northern Australia
• method of spread and number of viable pathways to risk zone (natural or non-conventional transmission or dispersion must be possible)
• known history of international spread and quarantine concern.

Probability of establishment

There should be a significant probability of establishment if a pest or disease enters northern Australia. To determine this, factors considered include:

• the availability of suitable hosts/habitat in the majority of the NAQS region
• ecology of the pest or disease
• method of pest survival
• cultural practices and control measures likely to impact establishment.

Probability of spread after establishment

There should be considerable likelihood of spread after establishment, into and beyond northern Australia. This would be determined after considering factors such as:

• suitability of the natural and/or managed environment for natural spread
• presence of natural barriers to dispersion
• potential for movement outside of zone via trade or people movements or natural transmission
• potential vectors of the pest in the NAQS zone
• potential natural predators and control agents of the pest or disease in the area.

Potential significant adverse impact

The pest, disease or weed must have the potential to cause significant adverse impact to:

• agriculture
• the environment, or
• the Australian public.

Details regarding the current list of NAQS target species may be obtained via the following contacts:

e-mail:   Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS)
phone:  +61 7 4030 7800